# CVE-2018-16478: simplehttpserver path traversal via symlink navigation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2018-16478-simplehttpserver-path-traversal-via-symlink-navigation  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2018-12-06. Updated: 2026-09-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2018-16478 · Severity: low · CVSS 3 · Published 2018-12-06

simplehttpserver is a lightweight Node.js HTTP server package. The vulnerability allows attackers to access files outside the intended web directory by following symbolic links in URLs, potentially exposing sensitive files on the server. No patch is currently available.

Technologies: [simplehttpserver (npm)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/simplehttpserver). Vendors: [npm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/npm).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2018-16478 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2018-16478 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2018-16478?** Low severity, with a CVSS score of 3, published 6 December 2018.

**Which products and versions are affected?** simplehttpserver (npm) 0.3.0 and earlier.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2018-16478?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2018-16478 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2018-16478?** Check whether you run simplehttpserver (npm) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

The vulnerability is a path traversal (CWE-22) flaw that permits symlink navigation without proper validation. An unauthenticated attacker can craft URLs containing symlinks to traverse the filesystem and access files outside the webroot with read permissions. The attack requires network access to the server and no authentication, but does not allow file modification or code execution. The advisory recommends against production use pending a fix.

## Affected products

- npm simplehttpserver 0.3.0 and earlier

## Identifiers

- CVE-2018-16478
- GHSA-vwr2-wj63-86gr

## Timeline

- 2018-12-06: disclosed

## References

- [https://hackerone.com/reports/403703](https://hackerone.com/reports/403703)

## Related threats

- [simplehttpserver path traversal](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2018-16493-simplehttpserver-path-traversal)
- [simplehttpserver directory traversal and file listing](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2018-3787-simplehttpserver-directory-traversal-and-file-listing)
- [simplehttpserver stored cross-site scripting](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2018-3716-simplehttpserver-stored-cross-site-scripting)